Light reflecting means



June 21,1938. 'CfQYDER 2,121,132

LIGHT REFLECTING MEANS Filed May 12, 1936 l ATTORNEYS Patented June 21, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,121,132 LIGHT REFLECI'ING MEANS Charles Daniel` Ryder, Covington, Ky., assignor Ato The National Colortype Company, Bellevue, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Application May 12, 1936, Serial No. 79,299

r2s claims. (c1. 4o-'1soi The present invention relates to light reflecting devices' of the character adapted to reflect incident light,.one object being to provide improvements in devices of this class by which to greatly increase their usefulness and effectiveness for different purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of this character for refleeting light of different colors in such a manner as to more readily attract attention when used for various purposes as, for example, in connection with warning or direction indicating signals,

1 advertising or display signs, and similar purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved light reflecting device comprising a lens and a reflector having ldifferent portions thereof of different light reflecting properties and definitely and systematically arranged and constructed to cause the light beam reflected by said device to vary systematically in appearance as the light source is moved across the field of the lens.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction for such devices by means of which they may be made to return a reection varying 'in intensi-ty or in color during the movement of the light source, so that the varying reflection will attract attention.

A further object ofthe invention is.to provide an improved light reecting unit for refleeting incident light, which can be assembled in a sign in varying numbers, and according to apredetermined design or pattern and is brought into reflecting action successively, one unit after another, to makethe sign progressively reflecting 3" and thus attract attention to it.

A further'object of the invention is to provide an improved unitary light reflecting device of the character indicated above, designed for ready application to a sign board or other support, and having an improved arrangement of parts of a simple and practical nature, which can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations' of parts, all as will bel hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawing:, l

Fig. 1 isa longitudinal section through one of the improved light reflecting units;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the relationship of the yflens means and reflector and disclosing' one illustration ofthe application of 55 difiere: colors to the reflector, and also show-v reflector for reflecting white light;

ing4 the reflection of rays incident substantially parallel with the optical axis;

, Fig. 3 is a similar view but showing the reflection of rays incident at a substantial angle to the optical axis;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the reector shown in Fig. 2, illustrating concentric bands or zones of different colors in surrounding relation with respect to the central clear or white spot of the Fig. 5 is a front view of a reflectorV showing one lo color only applied thereto;

Fig. 6 shows another modification, illustrating a reflector having relatively narrow alternately. arranged bright and dark zones;

Fig. 7 discloses still. another modification in which the reflector is provided with vertically disposed parallel stripes of alternate bright and matte surfaces on the metal of the reflector;

Fig. 8 shows a series of reflectors similar to that disclosed in Fig. 5, in which the diameter of the central or clear spot for reflecting white light is progressively increased from left to right, and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a portion of a sign in which the different letters shown have lreectors, the central clear spots of which differ in size in a predetermined order.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig. 1, I0 comprises a lens body of suitable glass having a front face Il and a rear face I2, one or both' of which may be generally convex. Preferably the front face Il is of convex curvature and the rear face may be plane or convex.

Associated With the lens is a concave reflector I3, spaced in rear of the convex rear face I2 of the lens and concentric with the optical axis of the lens, the .reflector being preferably placed with its vertex at the focal point M of the axially parallel rays as shown.

Although any suitable reflector and lens means may be employed in connection with the present invention, it is preferred to make use of corresponding elements havlngthe general charac- 45 teristics of those shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,872,643, for a Light reflecting device. l 1

The lens is secured within the front end of a suitable housing I5, adapted to be inserted with-- in an aperture of a support or sign plate such, 50,

its rear end a threaded part I8 for extension f thrcugh an opening in a retaining member for u ably mounted within the housing and suitably supported therein as, for example, by means of the forwardly extending cylindrical element I9, having a flange 20 seated upon a shoulder 2i of the housing, upon which it is held preferably by4 a layer of cement 22 or other suitable material j adapted to form a sealed joint Ybetween the.,-

The lens element' is held against outward displacement prefer-'` flange and the lens element.

ably by the inwardly turned portion 23 of the housing as shown in Fig. 1. able lens and reflector mounting means may be provided, other than that shown and described.

The `reflectors used within the housing and diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 2 to 8, inclusive, are preferably of similar construction to that shown in Fig. 1, with the cylindrical supporting element I9 omitted for the sake of clearness.

Disposed on the inner faces of the reflectors shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are a series of concentrically arranged zones of different colors indicated at 24, 25, and 26, and comprising in the present instance blue, red, and green, respective- 1y, although the particular position of the different colors one relative to another and the colors themselves may be varied as desired. The colors may be applied to the reflector in any preferred manner or by the use of any means suitable for the purpose, such, for example, as transparent lacquers, or the like. However the zones or bands of color may constitute preformed light transmitting bodies placed on and united with or secured upon the reflector by the use of a suitable transparent binder.

The reflecting units when placed in a highway sign are capable of being rendered luminous and visible by the rays or concentrated beam of a motor vehicle headlight when the vehicle is approaching the sign at a substantial distance therefrom. With the sign pointed substantially along the road, the vehicle, at a considerable distance from the sign, will be located approximately in line with the optical axis of the reflecting unit so that the rays incident in a direction substantially parallel with the axis will be focused on the clear spot 2l of the reflector. However as the vehicle continues to approach the sign the angle between the incident rays and the optical axis will be progressively increased whereby the apex of the cone of light will travel obliquely across the reflector from the central point I4 in Fig. 2 to the point |4a shown in Fig. 3. In other words, the apex of the cone of light when `focused at the center of the reflector will afford a white light following which the concentric color zones 24, 25, and 26 will be successively illuminated as the apex of the cone moves obliquely across the reilector from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2. Likewise, the rays of light will be focused upon the centers of the reflectors shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 'I with the apex of the cone moving across the reflectors to illuminate the same. The sign may be positioned, of course, moretransversely of the road than referred to above so that the white reflection from the central portion of the reflector is both preceded and followed by colored reflections from the opposite marginal reflecting areas.

reflector.' part vof the surface of the reflector or may be However any suit- In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the r'eflector |3a is provided at its center with a clear or bright spot 21a similar to that shown in Fig. 4, although in this case the reflector has only one color applied thereto, preferably red, as indicat'ed at 28. Light reflectingunits containing this reflector are particularly adapted for use in highway signs as' danger or warning signals, although they may be used for other purposes as well.

l "In-.the modification shown in Fig. 6 the reflector l3b has a series of alternate light and dar'lc` zones 29 andf30 respectively, the zones being concentrically arranged around an axially disposed clear or brightspot 2lb at the center of the The several zones may constitute a formed by applying coatings of light and dark material thereto. When this particular reflector is used with the unit shown in Fig. 1, a. blinking effect will result, as the apex of the cone of light travelsl from the central or bright spot 2lb obliquely across the face of the reflector to successively illuminate the light zones 29.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, instead of employing concentrically arranged hands or zones of contrasting shades or colors, the face of the reflector l3c is provided with parallel vertically extending stripes 3| and 32 of alternate bright and matte surfaces on the metal of the reflector, the bright surfaces reflecting specularly and the matte surfaces reflecting diffusely. With this reflector the light reflecting units will alternately appear bright and dull as the apex of the cone of light traverses the reflector arc.

It will be understood, however, that instead of providing alternate bright and matte surfaces on the reflector l3c the parallel stripes may be formed by applying two or more colors to the reflector or any combination of tints and colors which may be found useful.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8 a series of reflectors i3d is provided, having centrally disposed bright areas 33 for reflecting white light, these areas being progressively increased in size from left to right, as shown. The remaining portions of the reflectors have applied thereto a single color, preferably red, as indicated at 34. However, if desired, a plurality of colors may be applied to each reflector and arranged around the central bright spot 33, either in concentrically disposed zones or otherwise, as preferred.

By constructing a sign with a plurality of the 1 light reflecting units shown in Fig. 1 having reflectors differing in the order shown in Fig. 8, beginning with the unit having the smallest central reflecting area. and ending with the one having the largest of said areas, the result will be that, in a given position of the light source, the letters of the sign will differ in appearance and such difference will progress from letter to letter in succession as the light source is moved across the face of the sign.

It will be understood, however, that the outer areas 34 of the reflectors shown in Fig. 8 which surround the central areas 33 may have different tints or colors applied thereto, either in the form of concentric zones or bands, or otherwise, as preferred.

It will be apparent that a sign constructed along these lines, for illumination by incident the reflecting umts may be so arranged on the v sign as to represent various characters,`word combinations, or dedgns. This is true regardless lid lili

fili

of the letter or char'acter 35 shown in Fig. 9 have relatively small central areas 35h. The reflectors 'ita of the next succeeding character 36 have slightly larger central areas 36h, while the reflectors 37a of the letter or character 3l are providing with still larger central reflecting areas 3th. i It will be apparent therefore that with a sign constructed in this manner, the characters of the sign will be successively different in appearance when illuminated by the rays from the head light of a motor vehicle approaching the sign. In other words, if the sign. embodies a series of the reflecting units shownA in Fig. `l

arranged to form the letters of one or more words,

with the reector shown in rig. 4, a bright or white light, preferably, will first be flashed, as the apex of the cone 'of light strikes the central area il, and thereafter the colors blue, green, and red will be progressively displayed in rapid succession. The use of this particular reflector or one or more similar thereto, 4but having diHerent combinations .of colors will make it possible to provide a sign which will readily attractattention, whether it be used for advertising, signalling, or other purposes.

rlf'his is also true of the reflector shown in Fig. 6, which when used in the reflecting unit shown in Fig. l will, as previously stated, function as a blinking sign, or one on1which the light will appear to be turned on and off in rapid succession as the clear zones it are progressively illuminated by movement ofthe apex of the cone of light from the central spotllb obliquely across the face of the reflector.

i ln the use of the reflector shown in Fig. '7, the bright or mirror-like surfaces 3l 4will reflect specularly and the dark or matte surfaces it diffusely, as the apex of the cone of light travels from the center of the reflector obliquely across the facethereof.

It will be understood that a series of the units shown in Fig. l. with `any one of the different types of reflectors provided can be used exclusively in a sign and arranged in any preferred order, or in such a manner as to form an attractive design for illumination by an external light source.

ln the use of a plurality of the units with reflectors having central areas for reflecting white light of gradually increasing size and colored areas correspondingly diminishing in size as indicated, for example. in Fig. 8, an extremely effective sign can be constructed for different purpones and one which will be particularly useful in the field of advertising.

It will be further understood that signs vary- -ing widely in character or design may be formed with light reflecting units having either of the modied forms of reflectors shown,` or with a combination of two or more of the same, andfor whatever purpose desired.

Any suitable externalv light source, other than the headlight of a motor vehicle may be provided for illuminating the sign and maintained at the desired distance therefromsuch, for example, as

a fixed or an oscillating, or revolving light source of any preferred type.

Although I have shown the different color zones and the light and dark zones of the several modications illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive on a reflector spaced from the lens means, it will be understood that the materials applied to the reflector may, if desired, be applied in the same order to the rear face of a suitable lens or light refracting unit.

By the term zone inthe claims l mean defined areas comprising straight or curved bands,

or stripes. or belts. or spaces of substantially uniform width, or with margins that are substantially parallel `although the latter requirements are not essential, but preferable. The said areas or zones are not limited to encircling areas. The term may bie also defined as a belt or area distinguished from adjacent areas by different colors. Such zones are preferably of substantially equal cross section and are formedwith parallel margins to form narrow rectangular areas, or circular areas of substantially uniform width.

I claim:

l. A light reflecting device including a lens corrected for spherical aberration to render the same optically effective over substantially the full diameter thereof, and a reflector behindsaid device. a plurality of light transmitting materials comprising zones of different colors, said zones being in such relation one relative to another whereby to be successively illuminated by incident light rays entering the lens at progressively increasing angles with the optical axis.

2. A light reflecting device comprising a lens corrected for spherical aberration to render the same optically enective over substantially the reflecting white light, and light transmitting means containing coloring matter disposed in frontof the reector around said central varea and forming one or more zones of color for illumination by incident light rays entering the lens at progressively increasing angles with the optical axis.

3. A light reflecting device comprising a lens, a curved reflector disposed rearwardly of said lens, and light transmitting means containing coloring matter applied to the face of the reflector and forming one or more zones sof color concentricwith the optical axis of the lens for illumination by incident light rays entering the lens at progressively increasing angles with the optical axis.

4. A light reflecting device comprising lens means, a curved reector spaced from the lens means in rear thereof and having a limited area for reflecting white light, and light transmitting' means applied to the face of the reector and' forming a plurality of concentrically arranged color zones of different colors substantially sur- 5. Light reflecting means provided with reilecting devices each comprising a single lens and ling a relatively short focal length andhaving a face. thereof asphericaily curved to provide correction for spherical aberration in rays incidentV` in a direction substantiallly parallel with the lens axis for reflecting said rays back in the direction of the light source with low spread and high intensity, and light transmitting means interposed between the lens and reflector and forming one or more zones of color concentric with the optical axis of the lens.

6. Light reflecting means 'provided with reflecting devices each comprising a single lens and a curved reflector in rear thereof, said lens having a relatively short focal length and having a face thereof aspherically curved to provide correction for spherical aberration in rays incident in a direction substantially parallel with the lens axis for reflecting said rays back in the direction of the light source with low spreadand high intensity, said reflector having a central area for reecti-ng white light and having light'transmit; ting means forming one or more zones of color substantially surrounding said central area.

.'l. Light reflecting means provided with a series of light reflecting units each including lens means and a reflector, the reflectors having central areas for reflecting white light and outer surrounding areas for reflecting colored light,

said central areas being progressively increased in size in a predetermined order.

8. Light reflecting means having a plurality of characters for illumination by an exterior light source, said characters each including ope or more light reflecting units, said units each inf c luding lens means and a reflector, `and the reflectors having central zones for reflecting white light and outer colored zones formed of light transmitting material, the central zones of the reflectors of each character differing in size from Ithe central zones of the reflectors of the remaining characters.

9. Light reflecting means having a plurality of characters for illumination by an exterior light source, said characters each including one or,

more iight reflecting units, said units each including lens means and a reflector, said reflectors having central zones for reflecting white light and having outer concentrically arranged zones formed of light transmitting material of one or more colors applied to the reflectors, the central `wardly of the lens with its vertex substantially at said focal point, and light transmitting zones of one or more colors interposed between the lens and the reflector and in such relation whereby to be successively illuminated by incident light rays entering the lens at progressively increasing angles with the optical axis.

11'. A light reflecting unit for use in a sign, comprising a biconvex lens having its focal point on the optical axis in rear of the lens, a concave reflector spaced rearwardly of the lens with its vertex substantially at said focal point, and light transmitting means applied to the face of the reflector and forming a plurality of zones of difthe lens.

12. A iight renecung device comprising a lens corrected for spherical aberration to render the 'corrected for spherical aberration to render the same optically effective over 'substantially the full diameter thereof, and a reflector having applied to different zones thereof zones of transparent material having different light reflecting properties and arranged in succession across the said reflector in the path of a light beam projected thereon by said lens from a. light source moving across the lens field, whereby to produce a predetermined variation in the appearance of light beams reflected by said device during vsaid movement of the light source, said different portions of the reflector comprising light transmitting means containing different coloring materials.

14. A light reflecting device comprising a lens, and a reflector having different portions thereof of different light reflecting properties arranged in different zones of different color substantially concentric with the optical axis of said lens and reflector, so as to lie-successively in the path of a beam projected by said lens from a light source moved across the field of said lens.

15. A light reflecting device' comprising va lens corrected for spherical aberration to render the same optically effective over substantially the full diameter thereof, and a reflector in rear of said lens having different zones thereof of different color definitely and systematically arranged and constructed whereby to cause the light beam reflected by said device, to vary systematically in appearance with variation of the angle of incidence of the light on said device.

`16. A lightsreecting device comprising a lens corrected for spherical aberration to render the same optically effective over substantially the full diameter thereof, and a reflector in rear of said lens having different portions thereof of different color-arranged in different zones substantially concentric with the optical axis of said lens and reflector, so as to lie successively in the path of a beam projected by said lens from a light source moved across the field of said lens to cause the light beam reflected by said device to vary systematically in appearance with variation of the angle of incidence of the light on said device.

17. A light reflecting device comprising a lens having a face thereof aspherically curved more sharply adjacent its center than its peripheral area to correct for spherical aberration and render said lens optically effective over substan-| tially the full diameter thereof, and a reflector in rear` of said lens having different portions thereof of different color arranged in different zones substantially concentric with the optical axis of said lens and reflector, so as to lie successively in the path of a beam projected by said lens from a light source moved across the field of said lens.

18. A light reflecting device, comprising a lens having a face thereofaspherically curved more sharply adjacent its 'center than its peripheral area to correct for spherical aberration and render said lens optically effective over substan l said lens having colored materials in front thereof in diierent zones thereof arranged so as to `lie successively in the path of a beam projected by said lens from a light' source moved across the heid of the lens, said zones being formed of material adapted to cause the light beam reected by said device to vary systematically in appearance with variation of the angle of incidence of the 1lg ht on said device, the material of some of said portions serving to reflect white light.

20. In combination, a lens, a reflector spaced therefrom behind the lens at the focal point of `said lens, and a plurality of intermediate me'dia of diverse colors adapted to form defined colored .zones that are light-transmitting whereby said lens will appear in asuccession of different colors as the exterior light source passes transversely of the axis of said lens.

21. In a method of giving a vari-colored appearance to a single lens so that it'is successively colored with different colors, the steps of (a) moving a beam of light rays transversely of the face of the lens; (b) converging said rays to a focal point behindthe lens so that said focal point will move in an arc behind the lens, and (c) presenting dened different colored zones in the path of said focal point whereby the reflected incident light will appear as original sources of colored light of successively-different colors as the angular position of the beam of light changes with respect to the axis of the lens.

22. In a method of delivering vari-colored beams of reflected incident light so as to appear as originating from sources of vari-colored light, the steps of (a) directing a beam of white light through alens and moving the source of said light transversely of the axis of. said lens: (b) converging said light to a dellned focal point behind the 'lens (c) presenting defined different colored zones in the path of said focal point so that the` reflected incident light will appear as original. sources of colored light of successively different colors as the angular position of the beam of light changes with respect to the axis of the lens; and (d) reflecting the lightback through said colored zones and said lens as the focal point of the light passes over the surface c of the reflector.

23. In a method of giving la vari-colored appearance to a single lens so that it successively appears to have a different light-reflecting character, the steps of (a) moving a beam of light rays transversely of the face of the lens; (b) converging said rays to a focal point behind the lens so that said focal point will move in an arc behind the lens, and (c) presenting defined diderent appearing zones in\the path of said focal point whereby the reflected incident light will appear as original sources of different appearing light of successively different light-reflecting powers as the angular position of the beam of light changes with respect to the axis of the lens.

24. In. an autocollimating device, the combination of a refractory element having a convex objective plane and a reflector element arranged opposite the said objective plane impinged by light rays projected against the said refractory element and focused therethrough, coatings of translucent material of varied colors in zones 4applied to the said reflecting element, each of said varied colors singularly producing rays of varied hues in zones.

25. In an autocollimating device, `the combination of a lens having a parabolic objective surface and a concave reflector of greater diameter than the said lens providing a reflecting surface impinged -by light rays focused through the said lens, means covering zones of the said reflecting surfaces singularly affording varied colored light reections in different zones.

26. In an autocollimating device, the combination of a lens having a convex outer surface and a concave reector surface impinged by light rays focused through the said lens, layers of translucent colored materials vertically arranged in zones over the reflecting surface and providing an irradiant illumination of varied hues in zones. 27. In an autocollimating device, the combination of a lens having a convex objective surface and a concave reflecting surface impinged by light rays focused through the said lens, means on the said reflecting surface converting the v light rays projected thereagainst into varied hues and a concave reflector impinged by -lightv rays focused through the said lens and passing horizontally across the surface of the said reector, zone means covering the said surface providing varying singlehues in zones of reflected illumination as the said focused rays traverse the said reflecting surface. l

DANIEL RYDER. 

